Socket for avoiding an erroneous introduction of substances in any reservoir or container

ABSTRACT

Socket for reservoir or container, able to be associated to a specific nozzle which fills reservoir or container with suitable substances, provided with a mechanical device for avoiding the introduction of substances of nature different from those of the specific nozzle, characterized by fact that said device comprises a socket closure system maintained in the closure position by blocking means, that in the same socket deblocking means are present which are activated by means of the introduction of the specific nozzle having the external diameter section corresponding to that of internal section of the socket where the deblocking means are placed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of PCT Application No. PCT/IT2007/000627, filed Sep. 12, 2007, which claims benefit of Italian Application No. CS2006A000009, filed Sep. 14, 2006.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention concerns a socket aimed to avoid that an undesired or inappropriate substance is introduced by mistake in any reservoir or container.

STATE OF THE ART

The actual reservoirs and containers are provided with a socket linked to them both directly and by means of an intermediate immission tube where the socket usually constitutes the initial part.

Sockets available in the commerce are realized in materials of various types and present variable dimensions, but they are generally constituted by a tube with an initial part near to the closure plug, an intermediate part, and a terminal one towards the reservoir or container. The socket section may vary along said parts.

The actual sockets are obviously realized in a way to obstacle the filling performed with a nozzle having a section diameter major than any socket section, and to allow the filling performed with a smaller section diameter nozzle; so, it is possible that this latter nozzle type introduces into reservoir or container non-suitable substances.

Such risk is normally fronted by affixing on said reservoirs or containers labels or writings specifying the proper content type. Anyway, in practice the cases of different nature substances introduction are rather frequent.

INVENTION AND FIGURES DESCRIPTION

The socket proposed in the present invention prevents from the involontary immission of non suitable substances inside a reservoir or container using a nozzle with an external diameter section smaller than the minimal internal section of the socket. A more detailed description is given in the following twenty-nine figures which constitute two embodiments of the invention. The first embodiment (socket A) is represented on the FIGS. 1-11, while the second embodiment (socket B) is represented on the FIGS. 12-29.

Socket “A”

FIG. 1 represents the socket “A” constituted by a tube which section obtained by intersection with a plane passing long its longitudinal axis is described. The socket placed inside the substances immission duct, if present, in said reservoir or container, or directly applied to the mouth of said reservoir or container, is provided with a mechanical device aimed to avoid the introduction of substances of different nature in said reservoir or container, and is provided with two baffles, placed on the end of the socket terminal part. Said baffles, being in the rest position, close this end and are maintained in this closure position by socket's blocking means. Said baffles are opened when the deblocking means, by effect of introduction of a nozzle which section has a diameter corresponding to that of socket terminal part, are activated, while such opening of baffles can not be performed not even with an oblique penetration from a nozzle which diameter differs from that of socket terminal part section.

The socket is composed by three parts: the initial part (1) near the plug, the terminal part (3) towards the reservoir which has a section with diameter smaller than the first part, and the intermediate part (2), the junction between the two previous parts.

In the terminal part (3) there are four prominences (4) which lean outside of the socket and which are placed symmetrically according the longitudinal axis of the socket itself. Two symmetrical baffles (5) are hinged on said prominences by means of pin (6) and close the socket terminal section. Every baffle has a semicircular form with two horns (12) united to it (FIGS. 2, 3 and 5), hinged to adjacent prominences (4) by means of pins (6). A hole (8) which contains a pin around which a connecting rod (7) can rotate is present on every baffle horn. The rise (16), grooved on the external wall of the socket, contrasting the top (17) of the connecting rod, obstacles the rotation of the baffles which remain blocked in the closure position of the same duct. For a better view the rise (16) and the top (17) of the connecting rod are shown on the following FIG. 10 with the opportune enlargement.

Two passing cylindrical holes, with the axes orthogonal to the socket axis, placed symmetrically in respect of this axis are made on the wall of terminal trait (3) of the socket and on equal distance from its terminal section.

On every hole a knob (9) which opposite ends (10 and 11) are opportunely rounded fits. The end (10) leans towards the central axis in respect to the internal surface of the socket reducing in this point the internal section of the socket. The end (11) of the knob (9) in the rest state is placed near the connecting rod (7). The cylindrical part of the knob, external to the hole of the wall, has a section with a diameter larger than the fitted part inside the hole to guarantee that at the end of the filling the knob turns back to the original position. In the terminal zone of the socket the diameter “D1 _(A)” of its internal section corresponds to that of the external section of the nozzle which performs the immission of the suitable substance. However, in the zone where the knobs are, the presence of the ends (10) determines the internal gauge, so, i.e. the distance “□_(□)” between the two ends (10) mentioned above is smaller than D1 _(A). In such a way, the advance of fitted nozzle with the diameter D1 _(A) determines the shift of the knobs (allowed by their rounded ends) which push onto adjacent connecting rods allowing the top (17) of the connecting rods to shift by the rises (16); so, every connecting rod can run while the baffles rotate opening the duct and allowing the filling of reservoir or container. The extraction of the nozzle at the end of the filling provokes the closure of the baffles by effect of springs (13) return which push back the connecting rods; in such a way the rises (16) are moved back and the baffles block in the closure position is restored. The “return” of the connecting rods restores also the original positions of the ends (10) of the knobs inside the socket. The return mechanism can be obviously realized in various modes and doesn't request particular details; in the present work it is represented with two simple elastic springs (13), each of which is hooked on one side to a semiring (14) solid to the external wall of the intermediate trait of the socket, and on another side—to analogous semiring (15) solid to the connecting rod.

The FIG. 2 describes the horizontal projection of the socket with a view from below in correspondence to the baffles (5). The most internal circumference with discontinuous line represents the internal cylindrical surface (cylinder dyrectrix) of the socket; the external cylindric surface of the socket ends towards outside with four prominences (4) to which the same number of baffles horns (12) is linked by means of hinge axis (6), as it has already been described in FIG. 1. The connecting rod (7) is hinged by means of pin (8) to the adjacent horns (12) of the baffles. The two baffles and all represented elements are symmetrical in respect to the socket axis. To avoid unuseful grafical complications the connecting rod (7) and the hinge axes (6) and (8) are depicted only in the right part and the knob (9) is depicted only on the left.

The FIG. 3 shows a lateral view of the coupling between prominences (4), horns (12) and connecting rod (7), with the respective hinge axes (6) and (8). The knob (9) is shown too.

FIG. 4 shows one of the prominences (4) of the socket terminal trait; to make it simple the only part of the socket which is solidly linked to it is shown; the hole (6) of the axis on which the baffles horns are hinged is shown.

FIG. 5 shows the section of a baffle (5) made in correspondence of one of the two horns (12); the holes of two hinge axes (6) and (8) present in the horn zone are shown.

The FIG. 6 shows a connecting rod (7) which top (17) contrasts against the rise (16); the rotation pin (8) is shown too. The FIG. 7 represents the spring (13) in the rest position and the FIG. 8 represents the knob (9) with two rounded ends (10) and (11).

The FIG. 9 shows the socket with the baffles in the opening position because of the insertion of D1 _(A) diameter calibrated nozzle on the socket section.

The knobs pushed out by the proper nozzle move the connecting rods in respect of the rise; in such a way the baffles are deblocked and can rotate and open the duct. The nozzle (18) which passes through the socket and after the opening of the baffles can let the proper substance run is represented with the discontinuous line.

The spring (13) is longed for the tension realized for the moving of the semiring (15) solid to the connecting rod and capable to bring back the connecting rod for another baffles blockage in the closure position in order to extract the nozzle after the filling.

The FIG. 10 shows an enlarged particular of the rise (16) and the top (17) of the connecting rod coupling which determines the baffles blockage in the closure position. The distance between the points (16) and (17) on the figure has been enlarged to distinguish better the two points which in the baffles closure position are placed close together.

On the FIG. 11 the socket with the baffles blocked in the closure position is shown. The nozzle inserted into the socket and represented with a discontinuous line is shown. It has the terminal section (19) with the external diameter D2 _(A) smaller than the distance “□_(A)” between the two internal ends (10) of the knobs. In these conditions the terminal section (19) of said nozzle is placed in correspondence of the baffles (5) without push the knobs and, therefore, without unblock the baffles which, so, remain close obstacling the immission of not suitable substances into the reservoir or container, which is the aim of present work.

The innovation of the invention is evident. It is also undenyable its usefulness because it fills the lacuna of the actual production system ensuring the filling of reservoirs and containers with proper substances. Its application possibilities are numerous and regard every type of reservoir and every type of container for which it is desirable to obstacle the unvoluntary filling with unsuitable substances. For example, it can be considered the filling of the vehicles provided with Diesel engine; such vehicles are often being filled with gasoline instead of Diesel fuel because both types of nozzles can be inserted in the sockets actually applied for Diesel vehicles (Diesel nozzle>gasoline nozzle). But applying to the Diesel vehicles the proposed socket, which has the diameter D1 _(□) corresponding to the external diameter of Diesel fuel nozzle, and for which the distance □₅₈ between the ends (10) of the knobs is larger than the external diameter of the terminal section of gasoline nozzle, the nozzle above is obstacled to open the baffles and, hence, to perform the filling with erroneous fuel.

INVENTION REALIZATION MODE AND INDUSTRIAL APPLIABILITY

The realization of the invention doesn't request particular industrial modifications because it is sufficient, in phase of production, to deliver the scheme and the executive figure of the socket (obtainable also from the figures of the present work), without additional costs or anyway with modest costs if compared to the advantage to prevent the risk of erroneous filling.

The invention, certainly, is not limited to the representation of the figures, but can receive perfections and modifications from men skilled in the art, without going out of the patent frames.

Present invention permits numerous advantages and, particularly, allows to overcome the difficulties that could not be exceeded using the systems that are actually in commerce.

The previous considerations are valid also for the socket “B” which represents the second embodiment of the patent described below (FIGS. 12-29).

Socket “B”

The FIG. 12 shows the socket (20) constituted by a tube which section obtained by intersection with a passing plain long its longitudinal axis is represented.

Analogously to the socket “A” two baffles (27) are placed on the end of the terminal trait and close the duct.

The central longitudinal axis is a simmetrical one for the socket and for its components.

Each of two opposite knobs (21) having different form in respect of those of the socket “A” move a leaning part (22) inside the socket and can run outside through the holes in the socket wall.

The two baffles (27) linked to the socket by means of closure pins (28), close the socket duct; the gudgeon pins (24) which contrast against the septums (39) of the knobs obstacle the baffles rotation and maintain them blocked in horyzontal position in order to ensure the closure of the duct.

Every gudgeon pin (24) is inserted inside a coaxial small spring (26). The gudgeon pin and the small spring are inserted, on their turn, into a cylindrical hole grooved in the socket.

The small spring is kept in the lower part of the head (25) of the gudgeon pin and in the upper part of the re-entrant (40).

A closed circular spring (29) which circumscribes the socket and the knobs and is placed in a continuous groove realized in the external wall is represented.

A nozzle having a diameter correspondent to the diameter of the internal section of the socket, pushed against the leaning parts (22) of the opposite knobs, moves outside the knobs in order that the cavity (23) present in the lower part of the knobs positions in corrispondence of the gudgeon pins (24).

The further penetration of the nozzle induces the baffles to rotate around the pins (28) and to open the duct; such rotation is not contrasted any longer by the gudgeon pins (24) which can move inside the cavities (23) pushed up by the rotation of the baffles. The penetration of the gudgeon pins inside the cavities determines the small springs (26) compression kept by the re-entrants (40). When the nozzle is extracted at the end of the filling the pushing exercised by the small springs on the head (25) of the gudgeon pins induces the baffles to rotate back and to close the duct and induces the gudgeon pins to come back in the original position. Meanwhile, the knobs reach the original position too by means of the pushing effect of the closed circular spring (29). The contrast between the gudgeon pin (24) and the septum (39) of the knob is determined again with the return of the baffles block in the duct closure position. After the extraction of the nozzle the contrast element (43) obstacles the baffle to penetrate by rotation inside the socket and the wall (38) obstacles to the knob to penetrate inside the socket exceeding the pre-established position.

The intersections of the socket with 4 horyzontal plains positioned on the levels (32), (33), (34) and (35) are shown, while on the following FIG. 20 the knob and the gudgeon pin with the small spring are shown enlarged.

On the FIG. 13 the lower view plan of the socket is shown. The two baffles (27) and (discontinuous lines) the contrast element (43) for the baffles are shown. The points (30) and (31) placed on the ends of the diameter and the points (41) and (42) placed on the ends of the diameter orthogonal to the previous one are shown. The already described FIG. 12 constitutes a section obtained by intersection with a plain containing the longitudinal axis of the socket passing by the diametrally opposite points (30) and (31).

The FIG. 14 shows the upper view socket plan. The leaning part (22) of the knobs is shown while the remaining part of the knobs is shown with discontinuous lines.

The FIG. 15 constitutes a section obtained by intersection with a plain containing the longitudinal axis of the socket passing by the points (41) and (42) as for the FIG. 13.

The FIGS. 16, 17, 18, 19 show the sections obtained by intersections with the plains orthogonal to the socket axis situated respectively on the levels (32), (33), (34), (35).

The FIG. 16 shows the baffles (27) and the pins (28) of rotation of the same baffles.

The FIG. 17 shows the gudgeon pin head (25) and the contrast element (43) for the baffle.

The FIG. 18 shows the gudgeon pin (24).

The FIG. 19 shows the knob (21) and the wall (38) of the socket which obstacles the knob penetration inside the socket over the pre-established point.

The FIG. 20 represents a particular enlargement of the knob and of the gudgeon pin in the positions assumed when the baffles close the duct. The gudgeon pin (24) inserted coaxially inside the small spring (26), the knob (21) with the leaning part (22), the cavity (23) and the septum (39) are shown. The head of the gudgeon pin (25), the contrast element (43) for the baffle, the re-entrant (40) which keeps the small spring, the circular closed spring (29) positioned in specific groove realized in the knob, are shown too. It is evident the contrast of the gudgeon pin (24) against the septum (39) which determines the blockage of the baffles in the closure position and obstacles the duct opening.

The FIG. 21 represents the baffle (27) in a plan (to simplify its production, the lateral circular enlargements can be avoided).

The FIG. 22 represents the section of the baffle obtained by intersection with a vertical plain passing by the symmetry axis; the pin of hinge (28) is shown. The FIG. 23 shows the knob (21) in vertical section. The septum (39), the leaning part (22), the cavity (23) suitable to place the gudgeon pin, and the closed circular spring (29) with the grooving which places the same spring, are shown.

The FIG. 24 shows the knob (21) of the FIG. 23 in the lower view. The cavity (23), the leaning part (22) and the septum (39) are shown.

The FIG. 25 shows left view of the knob of the FIG. 23; the leaning part (22) is shown too.

The FIG. 26 shows the right view of the knob of the FIG. 23; the grooving (44) which places the circular closed spring are shown too (said spring has not been shown on the figure).

The FIG. 27 shows the closed circular spring (29).

The FIG. 28 shows the mechanism of the baffles opening by effect of proper nozzle (36) introduction having the section with external diameter correspondent to the internal diameter of the socket. It can be observed that the nozzle (36) shown with discontinuous lines, pushing against the leaning parts (22) of the knobs, pushes the knobs (21) outside the socket in such a way that the cavities (23) are placed in correspondence of the gudgeon pins (24).

So, the further penetration of the nozzle (36) pushes the baffles (27) which are induced to rotate around the pins of hinge (28) and to open the duct while the gudgeon pins (24), not contrasted by the septums (39) any longer, move up and are inserted into the cavity (23) of the knobs permitting to the baffles to rotate and to open the duct.

The extraction out of the nozzle at the end of the filling determines, as it has already been exposed, the closure of the duct with the rotation of the baffles backwards by effect of the pushing of the small springs (26) on the head (25) of the gudgeon pins; after that, the push of the closed circular spring (29) determines the re-entrance of the knobs in a way that the gudgeon pins (24) are contrasted by the septums again (39). In such a way the blockage of the baffles in the duct closure position is restored .

The FIG. 29 shows the impossibility to open the duct for a nozzle (37) having a section with external diameter inferior of the distance “□_(B)” which runs between the leaning parts (22) of the two opposite knobs. In such conditions the knobs cannot be moved out and the gudgeon pins (24), contrasted by the septums (39), obstacle the rotation of the baffles and the opening of the duct avoiding the improper substances immission into the tank or container analogously to the case of the socket “A” described before. Anyway, it should be mentioned that the socket “B” permits major savings of realization; in fact, it is constituted by one tube with constant width and section, and the other components (gudgeon pins, knobs, baffles, springs and small springs) are of low cost and easy availability and lead to lower costs of production and assemblation. 

1. Socket for reservoir or container, able to be associated to a specific nozzle which fills reservoir or container with suitable substances, provided with a mechanical device for avoiding the introduction of substances of nature different from those of the specific nozzle, characterized by fact that said device comprises a socket closure system maintained in the closure position by blocking means, that in the same socket deblocking means are present which are activated by means of the introduction of the specific nozzle having the external diameter section corresponding to that of internal section of the socket where the deblocking means are placed, that the socket closure system is constituted by one or more baffles placed on the end of the socket which in the rest conditions are maintained closed by said blocking means, that the deblocking means are constituted by one or more knob, sliding inside holes made in the socket wall, having a leaning part towards the inside of the socket and are pushed inserting the proper nozzle into the socket.
 2. Socket according to the claim 1 characterized by the fact that the baffles blocking means are constituted by one or more rises realized on the external wall of the socket which contrast against the top of one or more connecting rod, the other end of which is hinged to the corresponding baffle.
 3. Socket according to the claim 2 characterized by the fact that the knobs on one side are pushed inserting the proper nozzle into the socket and on the other side each of them pushes one connecting rod, allowing to the top of every connecting rod to distance from the corresponding rise present on the external surface of the socket, allowing the baffles opening.
 4. Socket according to the claim 3 characterized by the fact that every baffle presents one or more horn which is hinged to the corresponding prominences present on the external surface of the socket.
 5. Socket according to the claim 4 characterized by the fact that at least one connecting rod is hinged on the horns of every baffle and it is kept by one spring which brings back the connecting rod, restoring the block of the baffles in the closure position when the nozzle is extracted from the socket after the filling.
 6. Socket according to the claim 1 characterized by the fact that each knob has a leaning part (22) towards the inside of the socket, a septum (39) in correspondence of the external surface of the socket, and a cavity (23) grooved in the lower part of the same knob body and positioned between the leaning part and the knob septum.
 7. Socket according to the claim 6 characterized by the fact that the blockage means of the baffles are constituted by one or more gudgeon pins each of which inserted into a small spring coaxial to the same gudgeon pin, with gudgeon pin and small spring inserted in the hole grooved in the socket wall in the opportune position, in such a way that every gudgeon pin contrasts to the septum belonging to the correspondent knob and obstacles the baffles opening.
 8. Socket according to the claim 7 characterized by the fact that every knob moves outside the socket when the proper nozzle is inserted into the socket so, that after the moving, the gudgeon pin doesn't contrast the septum (39) of the knob but is placed in correspondence of a special cavity (23) of the same knob, and can, hence, be inserted into the said cavity permitting to the baffles to rotate and to open the duct.
 9. Socket according to the claim 8 characterized by the fact that extracting the nozzle at the end of the filling, the small springs coaxial to the gudgeon pins push the same gudgeon pins against the baffles, in a way that the baffles are induced to rotate back and to close the duct while a closed circular spring, inserted in a specific grooving present in the external wall of the socket and of the knobs, carries the knobs back to the original position so that the gudgeon pins contrast again the knobs septums and the baffles blockage in the position of duct closure is restored. 